Best time to visit Crete

“People have a very limited view about Cretan wine and if they used to come years ago they may have dreadful memories of the Retsina or Domestica. But the wine making on the island is really good now. There are over 30 wineries, and they have new, top class techniques. There are two that we love in particular in the White Mountains. One is the Dourakis Winery which is en route to the Askifou in the south, and which we can see from our balcony, and there is one outside Chania, the Manousakis Winery en route to the Omalos Plateau which has brilliant wines. Do try the goats milk – thick and creamy, and it doesn’t smell of goats! And leave space in your luggage for bringing back some Cretan olive oil and a bottle of wine, because they are quite special and it’s not that easily available in northern Europe. And the prices are still so reasonable.”

“Imbros Gorge is our favourite gorge. Everyone wants to go to Samaria which is also wonderful, but there are a lot of coachloads going there in summer. And also it is a huge trip, taking about 14 hours in total. Imbros you can do nicely in an afternoon, leaving your car in the south at the coast and getting a taxi up to the starting point. Another one that we love is Kallikratis Gorge. That is a bit longer, maybe three to four hours walk, and it is really wild, but comes out on the plains of the south coast at Frangokastello, which is a beautiful little settlement where there is a lagoon with very quiet, warm water. It’s a really relaxing spot.”

“Don’t expect the archeological sites to be well signed, described or set out (a few exceptions at the biggest sites like Knossos). Most will be at the end of a dusty track and many are overgrown. You’ll need to do a bit of your own research, but the resulting discoveries will be worth it.”

“We always advise our guests to get up early. The sun rises here around 6-6.30 in summer, and if you get up just before the sun rises you will see the first rays hit the top of the mountain. There are these beautiful peachy coloured peaks, followed by a lovely sunrise, with the light just falling down over the mountains. It’s a glorious sight to see and really worth getting up to do it.”

“Do be bold – sometimes you have to adventure up winding roads with lots of hairpins (to get to Panokosmos for one!), but you’ll be rewarded with views, sites and discoveries. Don’t expect the junctions to be well signed (particularly off the main roads; there will be signposts, but they may only be visible in one direction. You need to scout around a bit to find them!”

Catherine Mack, author of Responsible Travel’s guides, offers her own Crete travel advice: “Go shopping in Chania market. I bought a wide brimmed leather sun hat that has come on every trip with me ever since. Don’t miss Taverna Lemonia, located on top of a hill in Xilioumoudou. It is one of the few places left that still has a traditional stone mill that is pulled by donkeys to crush the olives. The owner also makes his own traditional violins and other stringed instruments. Just a treat of a place – Also, go in May. The flowers are amazing and the beaches were still empty.”